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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 107(2)

Pre-fledging energy requirements of the nocturnally fed semi-precocial chicks of the Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis)

K. M. C. Tjørve A C , L. G. Underhill A and G. H. Visser B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Avian Demography Unit, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.

B Centre for Isotope Research, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; and Zoological Laboratory, University of Groningen, PO Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands.

C Corresponding author. Present address: Lista Bird Observatory, Research Group, Fyrveien 6, N-4563 Borhaug, Norway. Email: kmctjorve@yahoo.co.uk

Emu 107(2) 143-150 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU06033
Submitted: 28 June 2006  Accepted: 20 April 2007   Published: 21 June 2007

Abstract

Studies of pre-fledging growth and energetics in precocial (self-feeding) shorebird species have shown that chicks expend large amounts of energy on thermoregulation and activity. We investigated the pre-fledging growth and energetics of Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) chicks, which are semi-precocial (fed by their parents), near Cape Town, South Africa, to determine whether semi-precocial development would reduce the energy expenditure of chicks and enable them to grow faster. In addition, because Spotted Thick-knees are nocturnally feeding shorebirds, we hypothesised that their more limited foraging time (compared with diurnal feeders) would negatively influence growth and energy expenditure of chicks during their spring–summer breeding season. The growth-rate coefficient, resting metabolic rate, peak daily metabolisable energy and total metabolisable energy of Spotted Thick-knee chicks were similar to the values predicted for birds of their size. Therefore, the potential negative impact of nocturnal feeding on growth of chicks may be being countered by reduced chick energy expenditure on thermoregulation and activity owing to parental feeding, and adults potentially extending their foraging time into the day as their chicks become larger. The relative energy requirements of growing Thick-knee chicks were greater than those of precocial shorebird chicks in the same climate of the Western Cape, but lower than those of shorebirds breeding in temperate or arctic zones. The semi-precocial mode of development of Spotted Thick-knees did not result in reduced energy expenditure or faster growth than anticipated for shorebirds in general, but their relative growth was greater than that of precocial species at the same latitude. Therefore, semi-precocial development benefits the growth of Spotted Thick-knees.


Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Centre for Isotope Research at the University of Groningen, the Darwin Initiative, the Earthwatch Institute, the National Research Foundation, the University of Cape Town, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour and the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanographic Research. Claremont Primary School, Diocesan College, Erinvale Estate, Mowbray Golf Course, Red Cross Hospital, and Strand Golf Course provided access to study sites. Weather data for the vicinity of Cape Town were obtained from the South African Weather Service. Berthe Verstappen performed the isotope analyses of the blood samples. All the field workers involved in this project are thanked for their assistance, in particular Gordon Scholtz and Manfred Waltner. Matthias Starck, Even Tjørve and reviewers are thanked for comments.


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† G. H. Visser passed away during the preparation of the paper.